By Mike McIntyre
One of the most anticipated returns in men's tennis will have to wait a little longer with the announcement today that Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the upcoming Australian Open due to the effects of a stomach virus. After only a few weeks of being back on the practice courts as he continued to rehabilitate his troublesome knee, Nadal contracted the virus recently and has been unable to train during this latest ordeal. Ordered by doctors to wait at least a week until returning to the court, Nadal determined that he would not be able to compete at the necessary level one requires at a Grand Slam event. He withdrew as well from the Mubadala Tennis Championship exhibition in Abu Dhabi that is happening at the moment and also from the upcoming ATP World Tour event in Doha. His next potential tournament is in Acapulco on clay courts at the end of February.
Nadal revealed that his latest setback has nothing to do with his knee that has kept him off the professional circuit since June.
"My knee is much better and the rehabilitation process has gone well as predicted by the doctors," Nadal said in a statement today. "But this virus didn't allow me to practice this past week and therefore I am sorry to announce that I will not play in Doha and the Australian Open."
Stay tuned for more details about Nadal's return as details unfold.
Hohuumm.... Zzzz zzzz
Posted by: Remi | January 01, 2013 at 11:33 PM